Open access transmission tariff information system

ABSTRACT

A method, system, and computer readable storage medium for open access transmission tariff management for a utility. The system includes a database for storing a plurality of data pertaining to providing transmission service to wholesale customers, and a computer processor coupled to the database and cooperative with a plurality of subsystems. A first subsystem determines a budget transmission billing rate. A second subsystem estimates revenue from wholesale customers. A third subsystem determines an updated budget transmission billing rate and an updated revenue projection. A fourth subsystem determines an actual transmission billing rate. A fifth subsystem analyzes a billed transmission rate on a periodic basis.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention are directed generally to transmission ofelectrical power to wholesale customers and, more particularly, toinformation systems for open access tariff transmission.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to promote energy generation competition and enforce fairtreatment of external users of the transmission system, the FederalEnergy Regulatory Commission issued Orders 888 and 889 in April 1996.Among other requirements, Order 888 required all electric utilities tofile an open-access transmission tariff (OATT). Order 889 defined howall participants in the electricity market should interact withtransmission providers and provided the structure and function for openaccess same-time information system (OASIS). OASIS nodes are secure,web-based interfaces to each transmission system's market offerings andtransmission availability announcements.

Non-discriminatory open access is required for an electric utilitycompany's competitive generation business to sell at market based rates.The OATT (Open Access Transmission Tariff) is the body of rules thatgovern how wholesale transmission customers receive transmission servicefrom an electric utility. These rules encompass not only the calculationof a formulary rate, but also all of the terms under which wholesalecustomers receive service.

Electric utility companies in the U.S. earn wholesale revenues byproviding transmission service to wholesale customers under the terms ofthe FERC-approved Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). The categoriesof service under the OATT include network and long-term firmpoint-to-point service (service periods of one year or longer),short-term firm point-to-point service (daily, weekly or monthly serviceperiods) and non-firm point-to-point service (hourly, daily, weekly ormonthly service as available). Electric utilities also collecttransmission revenues through grandfathered agreements pre-dating theOATT and other miscellaneous transmission services performed for otherutilities.

The development, FERC filing and defense of the OATT rate has beenaccomplished in the past through the use of over 200 differentspreadsheets and numerous manual processes. Since the inception of theformulary OATT in 2002, the demands of the OATT rate have increased. Theold model technology was found to be no longer adequate.

Furthermore, over the past few years, there has been a dramatic increasein the scrutiny of the filings and in the number of questions that werereceived during both the Informational and True-Up filing informalreview periods. The primary questions have come from the transmissionnetwork customers who have hired lawyers and consultants to handle thereview process and work with the electric utility in reachingsettlements on any issues raised. These review processes have becomedrawn out reviews most often resulting in lengthy settlement processes.They involve a lot of time and resources for an electric utility. Thereis no indication that the current environment will not continue in thefuture.

In any given calendar year, there are essentially three separate FERCOATT rate filings ongoing. These are calculation of the next yearbilling rate, the true-up of the past year's billing rate, and theimplementation of the current year's billing rate. Because the informalreview process has been extended far beyond the normal 90 day period dueto the intense intervention by the network customers, an electricutility is most often dealing with data responses and analysis onconcurrent filings at the same time. The technical system or theresources to adequately provide timely and accurate information did notexist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments described herein provide a system to assist in the OATT ratedevelopment, analysis, filing and providing data responses as requiredin the OATT process. The system is referred to herein as the Open AccessTransmission Tariff Information System (OATTIS).

In one embodiment of the invention, a web-based system, method, andcomputer readable storage medium are provided for open accesstransmission tariff management for a utility. The system includes adatabase for storing a plurality of data pertaining to providingtransmission service to wholesale customers, and a computer processorcoupled to the database and cooperative with a plurality of subsystems.A first subsystem determines a budget transmission billing rate based onat least one of a plurality of forecast loads, revenue credits, andcurrent budget data for the utility. A second subsystem estimatesrevenue from wholesale customers based on at least one of bulktransmission, sub-transmission, long term firm, short term firm,non-firm, and network service projections for the utility. A thirdsubsystem determines an updated budget transmission billing rate and anupdated revenue projection based on at least one of expectedtransmission plant investment, cost of debt, expected transmissionoperation and maintenance expenses, transmission loads and collection ofshort term and non-firm service charges. A fourth subsystem determinesan actual transmission billing rate based on at least one of actualloads for bulk and sub-transmission, and revenue credits. A fifthsubsystem analyzes a billed transmission rate on a periodic basis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages and aspects of the embodiments of theinvention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from thefollowing detailed description of the embodiments taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, as follows.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary high level functional overview ofwholesale transmission revenue.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary high level conceptual diagram ofwholesale transmission revenue.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary functional overview of the OATTIS subsetof wholesale transmission revenue.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary logical sequence flow of the primaryfunctions of the OATTIS system.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary system and manual interfaces betweencomponents of the OATTIS subset of wholesale transmission revenue.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTIS budgetrate model.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTIS revenuemodel.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTInformation Filing process.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the loading of theinformation rate data into the Transmission Billing System and OASIS.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate exemplary data flows for the OATTIS budget ratemodel.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary data flow for the OATTIS revenue model.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary data flow for the OATTIS InformationalRate Filing.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTIS budgetversus actual revenue reporting process.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTISquarterly rate analysis.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTIS actualrate model.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTIStrue-up filing process.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTIS actualtrue-up process.

FIG. 18 illustrates exemplary data flows for the OATTIS actual ratemodel.

FIG. 19 illustrates exemplary data flows for the OATTIS refundestimate/actual revenue model.

FIG. 20 illustrates exemplary data flows for the OATT rate true-upfiling process.

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary data flow for the OATTIS distributionmodel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching ofembodiments of the invention including the best, currently knownembodiment. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that manychanges can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtainingthe beneficial results of the disclosed embodiments. It will also beapparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments describedcan be obtained by selecting some of the features of the disclosedembodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those whowork in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptationsto the embodiments described are possible and may even be desirable incertain circumstances. Thus, the following description is provided asillustrative of the principles of the invention and not in limitationthereof, since the scope of the invention is defined by the claims.

The Open Access Transmission Tariff Information System (OATTIS) is aweb-based computer software application that automates the Open AccessTransmission Tariff (OATT) processing for an electricity company. Inexemplary embodiments, the OATTIS system uses the following developmentplatform, and equivalents thereof:

-   -   1. Presentation Layer: thick client with Window forms;    -   2. Business layer: .Net technology with C# language;    -   3. Data layer: Oracle database;    -   4. GUI Control: from SpreadsheetGear, LLC.

OATTIS addresses the following concerns: (1) mitigation/minimization ofthe risk of non compliance with the OATT settlement; (2)mitigation/minimization of the risk of inaccurate and untimelyinformation; (3) compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley, FERC and ElectricReliability Organization (ERO) regulations and requirements; (4)minimization of the number of intervener questions; (5) facilitation oftimely and accurate responses with the intention of reducing the lengthof time required in the informal review process at a minimum back to the90 day period following the OATT filing by reducing the number ofquestions received from interveners, and the resource requirements ofresponding to the number of intervener questions and facilitatingresponses; and (6) maintaining and enhancing credibility with OATTcustomers to allow for a continued profitable OATT revenue stream.

The OATTIS system creates models and calculates the OATT rates that areutilized to bill external wholesale transmission service customers.These rates are filed with FERC through the Informational Filing.Monthly actual versus budget reports are produced with allocations atthe operating company level. Quarterly analysis of the OATT rates isperformed. Annually, the prior year's rates are “trued-up” based on theTrue-Up Filing that is filed with FERC. The customers and theirinterveners can ask any questions that are deemed appropriate about theInformational and True-Up Filings.

OATTIS replaces the old extensively manual Excel spreadsheet-based OATTprocessing with an automated solution that fully utilizes technology toachieve the following advantages and benefits: (1) compliance withSarbanes-Oxley, FERC and ERO regulations and requirements; (2) centralrepository/source for transmission financial and accounting data; (3)data security and integrity; (4) automated data input with validation;(5) model versioning with full retention of model, data and audit trailof build and changes; (6) analysis of model to yield more accuraterates; and (7) separation of tasks to yield more checks and balances.

In an exemplary embodiment, the Open Access Transmission TariffInformation System (OATTIS) reengineers and replaces the processes andspreadsheets that were the basis for Open Access Transmission Tariff(OATT) processing. OATT processing includes three primary processes: (1)Budget Rate; (2) Analysis of Billed Rate; (3) Actual Rate.

Budget Rate

The Budget Rate Process is started each year by reviewing the prioryear's models, analyzing new FERC Orders, and accounting changes andupdates to determine if changes are needed to the Budget Rate Model. Inexemplary embodiments, the inputs to the Budget Rate Model includeforecast loads, revenue credits, current budget data for OperatingCompanies, carryovers from Prior Year True-Up Filing, and new FERCOrders, and accounting changes and updates. After the necessary changesare applied to the model, budget and estimated data from the dataproviders (Operating Companies, Electric Utility Company Generation) isloaded into the Budget Rate Model and 10 years of forecastedBulk-Network and Non-Firm, Bulk-Firm, and Sub-Transmission OATT Ratesare calculated. The forecasted OATT Rates and projected (estimated)sales information are applied to the Revenue Model to produce a budgetRevenue Model with 10 years of OATT revenue projections by revenue typeand Operating Company (OPCO). The outputs from the Budget Rate Modelinclude Bulk Transmission OATT Rates for 10 Years, Sub-Transmission OATTRates for 10 Years, Budget Rate Model Exhibits, and Informational FilingExhibits.

The OATT Informational (Rate) Filing is driven by the Budget Rate ModelProcess and begins immediately following the completion of the BudgetRate Model Process. The Informational Filing contains the first budgetyear from the Budget Rate Model and does not use the forecast years. AllExhibits for the first budget year are included in the November 1stfiling with the FERC and the wholesale customers.

Both FERC and the wholesale customers have the option to question thefiling information and how it was prepared for 90 days after the filingdate. Answers are provided within 10 business days (two weeks) ofreceipt of submitted questions. The questions are continued through theprocess until agreement or resolution is reached.

After the first budget year rate from the Budget Rate Model has beenfiled through the Informational Filing, the rates are loaded to OASISand the Transmission Billing System (TBS) to be utilized forreservations and billing for the next year.

Analysis of Billed Rate

In an exemplary embodiment, two major processes are utilized to analyzethe billed rate: (1) monthly budget to actual reconciliation and review,and (2) OATT Quarterly Rate accuracy review process.

Monthly Budget to Actual Reconciliation and Review Process

The approved budget for transmission is reviewed monthly against actualrevenue received. The Transmission Billing department of the utility isresponsible for sending out the invoices to the customers and sendingthe Transmission Pool Invoice to the utility's Financial Reportinggroup. The Financial Reporting team uses the Transmission Pool Invoiceas the control for the monthly reconciliation. The Financial Reportingteam takes the data from billing and produces budget to actual reportsfor the operating companies of the utility and executive management. Themonthly process organizes the data in a number of different views,including, but not limited to: revenue type, operating company, FERCaccount, and service type. Revenue types can include: (1) bulktransmission revenues, (2) sub-transmission revenues, (3) distributionrevenues, (4) ancillary revenues (high level or breakdown), and (5) FERCcharges. Service types can include: (1) long-term firm, (2) short-termfirm, (3) non-firm, and (4) network. Long term refers to servicereservations of at least one year; short term refers to service periodunder a year. Firm means that the service cannot be interrupted foreconomic reasons and is intended to remain reliable even under adverseconditions.

The inputs for the analysis include: current budget revenue modelinformation; monthly Pool Invoice; files containing revenues for Networkcustomers; sub-transmission revenues; PTP (Point to Point) servicerevenues; and non-OATT revenues for grandfathered transmission service.The outputs for the analysis include: monthly actual revenues bycompany, by service type, by FERC account versus budget information. Theavailable reports that are generated include, but are not limited to:(1) variance explanation and overall snapshot of OATT budget to actualinformation; summary and detailed reports by operating company and theutility company parent of the operating companies.

OATT Quarterly Rate Accuracy Review Process

There are two distinct processes involved in the OATT quarterly ratereview process depending on the quarter. The first quarter isessentially a repeat of the informational filing. The final/approvedbudget information is requested from the OPCOs and the informationalfiling calculation process is repeated. For the other quarters, theprocess includes the update of several critical elements and therecalculation of the rate. The critical elements in an exemplaryembodiment can include: (1) expected transmission plant investment, (2)expected transmission operation and maintenance expenses, (3) cost ofdebt, (4) transmission loads, and (5) collection of short term firm (ST)and non-firm (NF) charges.

The inputs for the first quarter analysis include: (1) updated operatingcompany budget information; (2) current budget rate model information;(3) Open Access Transmission Tariffs by operating company; (4) analysisof taxes other then income taxes; (5) rate base adjustments by operatingcompany; (6) analysis of plant exclusions by operating company; (7)analysis of capitalization; (8) development of materials and suppliesbalances from FERC Form 1; (9) determination of investment and expensecomponents by operating company; (10) analysis of investment and expensecomponents; (11) analysis of revenue credits; (12) analysis ofsub-transmission loads with 12 month average; and (13) summary oftransmission revenue requirement and charges. The output for the firstquarter analysis is an updated budget rate. The report generated isrevenue expectation updates based on the outcome of the quarterly reviewprocess.

The inputs for the other quarterly analyses include the approved budgetand the following: (1) expected transmission plant investment; (2)expected transmission operations and maintenance expenses; (3) cost ofdebt; (4) load; and (5) collection of short term firm (ST) and non-firm(NF) charges. The output is the updated budget rate, and the reportgenerated is revenue expectation updates based on the outcome of thequarterly review process.

Actual Rate

The Actual Rate Process is started each year by reviewing the previousyear's actual rate and revenue models. New FERC orders and accountingchanges and updates are analyzed to determine if changes are needed tothe Actual Rate Model. Actual loads for bulk and sub-transmission,revenue credits, FERC Form 1 data and non-Form 1 data are obtained fromthe operating companies and loaded to the Actual Rate Model. The ActualRate Model is for only one year; i.e., the year that was billed duringthe previous year. After calculation, review and analysis, the actualbulk and sub-transmission rates are applied to the Actual Rate Model.

The OATT True-Up (Rate) Filing is driven by the Actual Rate Modelprocess and begins immediately following the completion of the ActualRate Model Process. The True-Up Filing contains all Exhibits for theactual rates that were calculated through the Actual Rate Model. TheTrue-Up Filing is filed with FERC and the wholesale customers. Both FERCand the wholesale customers have the option to question the filinginformation for 90 days after the filing date. Answers are providedwithin 10 business days of receipt of the questions. The questions arecontinued through the process until agreement or resolution is reached.

After the actual rate has been filed through the True-Up Filing, theactual rate is loaded to OASIS and refunds or invoices are createdthrough the Transmission Billing System. The inputs to the actual rateprocess include, but are not limited to: (1) prior year actual ratemodel; (2) actual bulk and sub-transmission loads; (3) revenue credits;(4) Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Form 1 data; and (5)non-Form 1 data. Non-Form 1 data includes, but is not limited to,generation step up transformer information, interconnection facilityinformation, EPRI dues, Federal income taxes, and State income taxes.The outputs from the actual rate process include, but are not limitedto, long term firm customers OATT rate, short term firm customers OATTrate, non-firm customers OATT rate, network customers OATT rate, andbase for transmission revenue. The reports generated by the actual rateprocess include, but are not limited to, tariff filing, summary oftransmission revenue requirements and charges, and tariff pages to OASIScontaining: (1) firm rates, (2) non-firm rates, and (3) network rates.

The following description provides further detailed explanation of theexemplary embodiments. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary high levelfunctional overview of wholesale transmission revenue. The functionalscope of the wholesale transmission business involves many entitieswithin and outside of the utility. The two primary financial/accountingareas of the wholesale transmission business are Transmission Billingand the Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). OATT processing developsthe billing rate and estimated revenues. OATT then analyzes budget toactual revenues and determines needed true-up to the actual billingrate. Transmission Billing bills the wholesale customers based onreservations, scheduling, usage data, and billing rate.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary high level conceptual diagram ofwholesale transmission revenue. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplaryfunctional overview of the OATTIS subset of wholesale transmissionrevenue. The primary OATT processes and functions include the budgetrate model, budget year revenue model, information filing, budget/actualmonthly reporting, quarterly rate true-up analysis, actual rate model,true-up filing, and distribution facility charge. FIG. 4 illustrates anexemplary logical sequence flow of the primary functions of the OATTISsystem. There is a plurality of sub-processes within each of theprocesses shown. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary system and manualinterfaces between components of the OATTIS subset of wholesaletransmission revenue.

Budget Rate Model

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary budget rate model for the OATTIS system.The data that has been loaded to the rate model is analyzed before ratecalculation for reasonableness. If large changes are found,clarification is requested from the supplying data provider. After thevariance clarifications are negotiated with the data provider, anynecessary changes are made to the data. The variances andclarification/explanation must be retained with the model for future useto answer intervener questions. After the operating company budget data,load forecasts and revenue credits are loaded to the model and analyzed,the budget rates are calculated. Revenue credits are a determination ofnon-service revenues associated with general plant of transmissionassets and the allocation of bulk and sub-transmission rates. Thesecredits come from payments for a transmission facility or service thatis not rendered as a transmission load service. Forecast loads are acombination of territorial loads, unit power sales (UPS), long term firm(LTF) and network sales and are used as part of the budget ratecalculation.

After the OATT budget rates have been calculated, various analyses (+/−thresholds) are performed to determine the validity of the budget modeland resulting rates. These analyses include: (1) calculated rate versusforecasted rate for the year; (2) calculated rate versus billed ratefrom prior year; (3) calculated rate versus actual rate from prior year;and (4) percent change (increase or decrease). If needed changes resultfrom these analyses, the calculate rate sub-process would be repeated toreflect the changes. FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate exemplary data flows forthe OATTIS budget rate model.

Revenue Model

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary revenue model for the OATTIS system. Thebudget rate model is a 10 year model derived from calculations onrevenue data for each operating company. The rates are for wholesaletransmission service for bulk and sub-transmission customers. After thebudget rate to be billed during the next year is confirmed, the ratemodel is used to calculate nine additional years of bulk transmissionand sub-transmission OATT Rates.

Projected sales data is requested from the following: Bulk PowerOperations (projected Non-Firm and Short Term Firm), TransmissionBilling (Long Term Firm), and Transmission Policy and Services (OASIS).A request for database reservation lookups from the OASIS reservationsystem is requested from Transmission Billing. Long Term Firm (LTF)sales projections are requested from the Transmission Policy Grouplooking for specific situations where rollover intentions are indicated.Transmission Billing also requests information where there is a strongpotential for a new contract to be in place for future years to providemore LTF information. Twenty rates (i.e., 10 years for bulk transmissionand 10 years for sub-transmission) are copied from the new budget ratemodel to populate the rates in the revenue model. The data that the dataproviders have input, pulled, validated and analyzed is loaded to therevenue model. The data that was loaded to the revenue model is analyzedbefore the revenue forecast calculation for reasonableness. FIG. 11illustrates an exemplary data flow for the OATTIS revenue model.

The revenue model analysis sub-process compares the current in progressrevenue model with the previous year revenue model for loads (bulk andsub-transmission) and revenue projections. The sub-process comparessales year over year. For the budget revenue model, one variance test isperformed after the revenues have been calculated. In one exemplaryembodiment, the current variance allowed could be 15%. Revenues can becalculated based on return on equity (ROE) exposures using different ROElevels.

Information Filing Process

The budget rate model process drives the Informational Filing process.The Informational Filing process begins immediately following thecompletion of the budget rate model process. This process incorporatesmore current data into the Information Filing which should decrease thepossibility of deviations between the budget rate and the actual ratethat will be calculated in the True-Up process. The Informational Filingcontains the first budget year from the budget rate model and does notuse the forecast years. FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary data flow forthe OATTIS Informational Rate Filing.

When the filing has been completed and sent to FERC, electronic and hardcopies of the filing are sent to the utility's transmission customers.The new rates are sent to the Transmission Billing System (TBS) and theOASIS reservation system. FIG. 9 illustrates the preceding steps in anexemplary embodiment.

Budget versus Actual Revenue Reporting Process

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTIS budgetversus actual revenue reporting process. Every month, the TransmissionBilling group sends out a pool bill Invoice, which contains all of theOATT revenues for point-to-point (PTP), by firm and non-firmtransmission service, and network customers. The pool invoice is asummary of everything sent out to the wholesale customers for theprevious month's service. The primary use of the pool invoice is toverify the revenue data from the three inputs: network, PTP and utilitypower generation sub-transmission charges. The pool invoice alsocontains the utility power generation total network for all of thetransmission service which is used to calculate the split between bulkand sub-transmission. Once all of the monthly actual information hasbeen processed and has been cross-checked against the pool invoice(control document) and the current month's budget information has beenupdated in the annual budget, the budget to actual analysis is performedfor the monthly reports.

OATT Quarterly Rate Analysis

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTISquarterly rate analysis. There are two distinct processes involveddepending on which quarter is being analyzed. The first quarter isessentially a repeat of the informational filing. The final/approvedbudget information is requested from the operating companies and theinformational filing calculation process is repeated. For second, third,and fourth quarters, the process includes the update of several criticalelements and the recalculation of the rate. In one embodiment, thecritical elements are expected transmission plant investment, expectedtransmission operations and maintenance expenses, cost of debt,transmission loads, and collection of short term firm and non-firmcharges.

Actual Rate Model

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTIS actualrate model. The Actual Rate Model is modified/enhanced to reflect anyaccounting or regulatory changes that effect the model for the actualrate calculation. The new model structure, including changes and reasonsfor the changes, must be retained since it may be required to reply tointervener questions about the rate filed. The data released by theoperating companies is then loaded to the Actual Rate Model.

The data that has been loaded to the Actual Rate Model is analyzedbefore rate calculation for reasonableness. If large changes are found,clarification is requested from the supplying data provider. After thevariance clarifications are negotiated with the data providers, anynecessary changes are made to the data. The variances andclarification/explanation must be retained with the model for future useto answer intervener questions. FIG. 18 illustrates exemplary data flowsfor the OATTIS actual rate model.

After the OATT actual rates have been calculated, various analyses (+/−thresholds) are performed to determine the validity of the actual ratemodel and resulting rates. These analyses include: (1) calculated rateversus forecasted rate for the year; (2) calculated rate versus billedrate from prior year; (3) calculated rate versus actual rate from prioryear; and (4) percent change (increase or decrease). If needed changesresult from these analyses, the calculate rate sub-process would berepeated to reflect the changes.

The electric utility uses the Transmission Billing System to determinethe transmission service levels for each wholesale customer for theprevious year. The difference between the billed rate for that year foreach service level/type and the trued-up rate is calculated for eachcustomer. The difference is applied to the usage total to determine thepotential refund or additional amount to be billed. In addition to theamount owed, or the refund due, the interest accrued is calculated usingthe current FERC interest rate. FIG. 19 illustrates exemplary data flowsfor the OATTIS refund estimate/actual revenue model.

OATT True-Up Filing Process

After the Actual Rate has been finalized, it is processed through theTrue-Up Filing Process and the Actual Rate True-Up Process. FIG. 16illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTIS true-up filingprocess. The purpose of the true-up filing process is to satisfyregulatory requirements of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.Each electric utility is required to file a budget transmission rate onNovember 1 of each year which will determine the transmission billingrate for the following year. On May 1 of the year following the budgetfiling, when prior year actual data is available, a true-up filing isrequired. The true-up filing will determine the refund or additionalbilling that the utility will enact for long-term firm and networktransmission customers who were billed at the budget rate during thatyear. Form 1 data and all other operating company data is obtained forthis process. FIG. 20 illustrates exemplary data flows for the OATT ratetrue-up filing process.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary sequence of steps for the OATTIS actualtrue-up process. After the actual rate has been filed through thetrue-up filing process, the actual rate is loaded to OASIS, and refundsor invoices are created through the Transmission Billing System.

Distribution Facilities Model

FIG. 21 illustrates an exemplary data flow for the OATTIS distributionfacilities model. The distribution facilities model is derived byupdating certain exhibits in the Actual Rate Model with Form 1Distribution components, load data and gross investment and accumulateddepreciation reserve balances. The distribution facility charges are fordistribution facilities that are utilized for transmission services.

The function of the distribution facilities model process is tocalculate the revenue requirements for distribution substations andlines. This process calculates a fixed charge for the transmission usageof distribution facilities. After the Actual Rate True-Up process iscompleted, additional information is extracted from Form 1 related todistribution accounts and used to develop the distribution model.Property accounting data and load data are two of the inputs into thedistribution facilities model. Gross investment and accumulateddepreciation reserve balances at end-of-year for each new or updatedfacility is provided by the utility's property accounting. Loadinformation is provided monthly from each operating company. Customerload is determined at each distribution service level. Loss factors areapplied for each level as appropriate. The load information can include,but is not limited to, total load for substation, total feeder load,customer load, and total distribution line miles.

The distribution facilities model is modified/enhanced to reflect anyaccounting or regulatory changes that effect the model for thedistribution facility charge. The new model structure, including changesand reasons for the changes, must be retained. This information may berequired to reply to intervener questions about the rate filed. The datareleased by the operating companies is then loaded to the distributionfacilities model.

The data that has been loaded to the distribution facilities model isanalyzed before calculation of distribution facility charge forreasonableness. If large changes are found, clarification is requestedfrom the supplying data provider. After the variance clarifications arenegotiated with the data providers, any necessary changes are made tothe data. The variances and clarification/explanation must be retainedwith the model for future use to answer intervener questions.

The utility revenue requirement includes two components: a facilityrevenue requirement, and a service revenue requirement. The revenuerequirement per facility is determined by prorating (1) the ratio of netinvestment to total investment for distribution substations, and (2) theratio of line miles to total distribution line miles. The servicerevenue requirement for a specific service is determined, at least inpart, by prorating (1) distribution substation revenue requirementsbased on ratio of customer load to specific distribution substationload, and (2) distribution line revenue requirements based on ratio ofcustomer load to specific feeder load.

Embodiments of the invention have been described as computer-implementedprocesses. It is important to note, however, that those skilled in theart will appreciate that the mechanisms of the embodiments described arecapable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms,and that the invention applies regardless of the particular type ofcomputer readable storage media utilized to carry out the distribution.Examples of computer readable storage media include, without limitation,recordable-type media such as CompactFlash cards, portable hard drives,diskettes, CD ROMs, memory sticks, and flash drives.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans plus function elements in any claims below are intended to includeany structure, material, or acts for performing the function incombination with other claim elements as specifically claimed. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications to theexemplary embodiments are possible without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

In addition, it is possible to use some of the features of theembodiments disclosed without the corresponding use of the otherfeatures. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the exemplaryembodiments is provided for the purpose of illustrating the principlesof the invention, and not in limitation thereof, since the scope of thepresent invention is defined solely by the appended claims.

1. A web-based system for open access transmission tariff management fora regulated utility, comprising: a database for storing a plurality ofdata pertaining to providing transmission service to wholesalecustomers; a computer processor coupled to the database and cooperativewith a plurality of subsystems including: a subsystem for determining abudget transmission billing rate based on at least one of a plurality offorecast loads, revenue credits, and current budget data for theregulated utility stored in the database; a subsystem for estimatingrevenue from wholesale customers based on the budget transmissionbilling rate and at least one of bulk transmission, sub-transmission,long term firm, short term firm, non-firm, and network serviceprojections for the regulated utility stored in the database; asubsystem for loading the budget transmission billing rate into aregulatory database and a transmission billing system for use intransmission line reservations and billings for wholesale customers; asubsystem for generating a pool bill invoice monthly as a controldocument and reconciling the pool bill invoice with estimated revenuesfrom wholesale customers, the pool bill invoice including revenues forpoint-to-point services, by firm and non-firm transmission services, andnetwork customers; a subsystem for determining an updated transmissionbilling rate and an updated revenue projection quarterly based on themonthly reconciliations between the pool bill invoice and the estimatedrevenues for each month in the quarter, and at least one of expectedtransmission plant investment, cost of debt, expected transmissionoperation and maintenance expenses, transmission loads and collection ofshort term and non-firm service charges in the second, third, and fourthquarters; a subsystem for determining an actual transmission billingrate on an annual basis based on at least one of actual loads for bulkand sub-transmission, and revenue credits; and a subsystem for comparingthe billed transmission rate with the actual transmission billing rateon an annual basis to prepare a true-up filing for wholesale customers;and a subsystem for generating invoices or refunds for wholesalecustomers based on the true-up filing.
 2. The system for open accesstransmission tariff management of claim 1 further comprising a subsystemfor determining a plurality of revenue requirements for a plurality ofdistribution substations and distribution lines.
 3. The system for openaccess transmission tariff management of claim 1 wherein the pluralityof revenue requirements includes a facility revenue requirement and aservice revenue requirement.
 4. The system for open access transmissiontariff management of claim 1 further comprising a subsystem foranalyzing a billed transmission rate on a quarterly basis by comparingan approved budget for transmission against actual revenue received. 5.The system for open access transmission tariff management of claim 4wherein the subsystem for analyzing a billed transmission rate on aquarterly basis further includes a module for generating a report thatexplains a variance between the approved budget and actual revenuereceived.
 6. The system for open access transmission tariff managementof claim 1 wherein the subsystem for determining an actual transmissionbilling rate includes a module for validating the actual transmissionbilling rate by comparing a calculated rate against a forecast rate fora current year, comparing the calculated rate against the billed ratefor a prior year, and determining a percentage change associated witheach comparison.
 7. A method for open access transmission tariffmanagement for a regulated utility using a web-based computer system,comprising: storing a plurality of data pertaining to providingtransmission service to wholesale customers in a database; determining abudget transmission billing rate, by the web-based computer system,based on at least one of a plurality of forecast loads, revenue credits,and current budget data for the regulated utility stored in thedatabase; estimating revenue from wholesale customers, by the web-basedcomputer system, based on the budget transmission billing rate and atleast one of a bulk transmission load forecast, a sub-transmission loadforecast, long term firm, short term firm, non-firm, and network serviceprojections for the regulated utility stored in the database; loadingthe budget transmission billing rate into a regulatory database and atransmission billing system for use in transmission line reservationsand billings for wholesale customers; generating a pool bill invoicemonthly as a control document and reconciling the pool bill invoice withestimated revenues from wholesale customers, the pool bill invoiceincluding revenues for point-to-point services, by firm and non-firmtransmission services, and network customers; determining an updatedtransmission billing rate and an updated revenue projection quarterly,by the web-based computer system, based on the monthly reconciliationsbetween the pool bill invoice and the estimated revenues for each monthin the quarter, and at least one of expected transmission plantinvestment, cost of debt, expected transmission operation andmaintenance expenses, transmission loads and collection of short termand non-firm service charges in the second, third, and fourth quarters;determining an actual transmission billing rate on an annual basis, bythe web-based computer system, based on at least one of actual loads forbulk and sub-transmission, and revenue credits; and comparing the billedtransmission rate with the actual transmission billing rate on an annualbasis, by the web-based computer system to prepare a true-up filing forwholesale customers; and generating invoices or refunds for wholesalecustomers based on the true-up filing.
 8. The method for open accesstransmission tariff management of claim 7 further comprisingdetermining, by the web-based computer system, a plurality of revenuerequirements for a plurality of distribution substations anddistribution lines.
 9. The method for open access transmission tariffmanagement of claim 7 further comprising determining a plurality ofrevenue requirements including a facility revenue requirement and aservice revenue requirement.
 10. The method for open access transmissiontariff management of claim 7 further comprising analyzing a billedtransmission rate on a quarterly basis by comparing an approved budgetfor transmission against actual revenue received.
 11. The method foropen access transmission tariff management of claim 10 wherein analyzinga billed transmission rate on a quarterly basis further comprisesgenerating a report that explains a variance between the approved budgetand actual revenue received.
 12. The method for open access transmissiontariff management of claim 7 wherein determining an actual transmissionbilling rate includes validating the actual transmission billing rate bycomparing a calculated rate against a forecast rate for a current year,comparing the calculated rate against the billed rate for a prior year,and determining a percentage change associated with each comparison. 13.A computer readable storage medium for open access transmission tariffmanagement for a regulated utility when operated on a computer system,comprising: program instructions that store a plurality of datapertaining to providing transmission service to wholesale customers in adatabase; program instructions that determine a budget transmissionbilling rate based on at least one of a plurality of forecast loads,revenue credits, and current budget data for the regulated utilitystored in the database; program instructions that estimate revenue fromwholesale customers based on the budget transmission billing rate and atleast one of bulk transmission, sub-transmission, long term firm, shortterm firm, non-firm, and network service projections for the regulatedutility stored in the database; program instructions that load thebudget transmission billing rate into a regulatory database and atransmission billing system for use in transmission line reservationsand billings for wholesale customers; program instructions that generatea pool bill invoice monthly as a control document and reconcile the poolbill invoice with estimated revenues from wholesale customers, the poolbill invoice including revenues for point-to-point services, by firm andnon-firm transmission services, and network customers; programinstructions that determine an updated transmission billing rate and anupdated revenue projection quarterly based on the monthlyreconciliations between the pool bill invoice and the estimated revenuesfor each month in the quarter, and at least one of expected transmissionplant investment, cost of debt, expected transmission operation andmaintenance expenses, transmission loads and collection of short termand non-firm service charges in the second, third, and fourth quarters;program instructions that determine an actual transmission billing rateon an annual basis based on at least one of actual loads for bulk andsub-transmission, and revenue credits; and program instructions thatcompare the billed transmission rate with the actual transmissionbilling rate on an annual basis to prepare a true-up filing forwholesale customers; and program instructions that generate invoices orrefunds for wholesale customers based on the true-up filing.
 14. Thecomputer readable storage medium for open access transmission tariffmanagement of claim 13 further comprising program instructions thatdetermine a plurality of revenue requirements for a plurality ofdistribution substations and distribution lines.
 15. The computerreadable storage medium for open access transmission tariff managementof claim 13 further comprising program instructions that determine aplurality of revenue requirements including a facility revenuerequirement and a service revenue requirement.
 16. The computer readablestorage medium for open access transmission tariff management of claim13 further comprising program instructions that analyze a billedtransmission rate on a quarterly basis by comparing an approved budgetfor transmission against actual revenue received.
 17. The computerreadable storage medium for open access transmission tariff managementof claim 16 wherein the program instructions that analyze a billedtransmission rate on a quarterly basis further comprise programinstructions for generating a report that explains a variance betweenthe approved budget and actual revenue received.
 18. The computerreadable storage medium for open access transmission tariff managementof claim 13 wherein the program instructions that determine an actualtransmission billing rate include program instructions that validate theactual transmission billing rate by comparing a calculated rate againsta forecast rate for a current year, comparing the calculated rateagainst the billed rate for a prior year, and determining a percentagechange associated with each comparison.